More Taxi Ranks The Solution ? ... By Jim Thomas

Over the last two weekends, it's been noticeable that the TfL compliance team involved with "Operation Neon" has expanded. 

Unfortunately there is very little they can do.

• If a PHV is parked on a Taxi rank they ask them to move. 

• If a private car is parked on a cab rank they can call on Westminster City Marshals to issue a PCN. 

But, that's about it!!!

In this highly visible exercise, compliance officers can be seen slowly sauntering around Mayfair with absolutely no meaningful plan of operation.

The team with actual power of arrest are the Mets Cab Enforcement Unit (CEU), but they are too few in number and starved of an adequate budget. 

With the expansion of the Uber fleet, has come a massive problem of touting. Uber drivers using fog lights (in it's self a contravention under the Highway Code, rule 114) to signify immediate availability, are illegally plying for hire. 

These vehicles don't have to openly solicit as their customers have been carefully schooled in the procedure. They see a Prius with its fog light on, they wave their phone at the driver, who winds down the window. Passenger gives driver a destination and is allowed to enter the vehicle....no actual touting takes place. To any observer, it looks like a legitimate hiring.

But every journey undertaken in this manner is an offence. The driver has committed an act of illegal plying for hire and the journey is now uninsured. 

Because of the scale of what's going on and the way these jobs are procured, the CEU have a massive job on their hands trying to obtain enough evidence to arrest/convict touts, or even report the drivers for illegal plying for hire. The drivers involved have more chance of winning the lottery than getting their collar felt for touting. 

Possible Partial Solution?

The best way we can fight back is by getting too the work before the touts. We need to have ranks outside every venue, every popular night spot. We now have to do exactly what the touts have been doing to us for decades and that's to get to the work first, by putting Taxis outside venue exits.

                             IT WORKS!

It's no good any more, aimlessly driving round in circles. Your rightful work is being intercepted by these cars and the public are convinced this is totally legal. 

Mayfair Mob Modus Operandi 

The new marshalled rank at forge took over 150 jobs on Friday night alone. Jobs that in the past were shepherded into the waiting minicabs of Diamond Chauffeurs. 

Since the Mayfair Mob started targeting the area, touting in Berkeley Street, Bruton Street and Dover Street has been dramatically cut.

But there is still touting outside the Palm Beach. We need a rank there, despite the fact the casino say they don't want one. They just want the space outside to park customers cars. This forces Taxis to put themselves on offer by forming an unauthorised rank, but they do and it's surprising how quickly it can move.

For many years, we had a rank in the middle of the road, popular with night drivers, which moved extremely well. We need a rank for at least 4 taxis, bang outside, as we could do at all london casinos. The more rank spaces we can get, the less space there is left for touts to hang up.

Our biggest hurdle presently comes from local councils such as Westminster and Camden. 

Why do these councils put up such a fight against us protecting the public from unlicensed touts. Surely the idea of having a licensed Taxi service with adequate ranking facilities makes perfect sense.

I picked up an elderly couple last night from Hakkasan and the lady said to me:

 "When you come out of a restaurant and it's cold, wet and your tired, there's nothing more welcoming than the sight of an orange for hire light".

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